Development of a new MRI diagnostic system for seminiferous tubule morphology utilizing for male infertility treatment

• Project/Area Number: 22791238
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Radiation science
• Research Institution: National Cancer Center Japan
• Principal Investigator: YAMAGUCH Masayuki 独立行政法人国立がん研究センター, 臨床開発センター, ユニット長 (90450577)
• Project Period (FY): 2010 – 2012
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2012)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,030,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥930,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2010: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: MRI / 精細管 / 男性不妊症 / 悪性腫瘍

Research Abstract

We developed a new MRI system for diagnosing seminiferous tubule morphology. The system consists of a highly sensitive radiofrequency coil for receiving MR signal from the testis and software for classifying seminiferous tubule MRIs based on 16 morphological features. We succeeded in the visualization of animals' seminiferous tubules (approximately 200 μm in diameter) on high-resolution MRIs, and the software enabled to discriminate these MRIs among testes with normal, mildly-injured, and severely-injured spermatogenic function with 83% accuracy. We believe that this system could be utilized for diagnosing male infertility in clinical practice.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Intensity Correction Method Customized for Multi-animal Abdominal MR Imaging with 3T Clinical Scanner and Multi-Array Coil (2013)
  • Author(s): Mitsuda M, Yamaguchi M, Nakagami R, Furuta T, Sekine N, Niitsu M, Moriyama N, Fujii H
  • Journal Title: Magnetic Resonance in Medical Sciences Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Pages: 95-103
  • DOI: 10.2463/mrms.2012-0038
  • NAID: 10031183922
  • ISSN: 1347-3182, 1880-2206
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] In vivo prediction of spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and machine-learning techniques in combination (2010)
  • Author(s): Yamaguchi M, Kutsuna N, Nakagami R, Nabetani A, Nozaki A, Niitsu M, Hasezawa S, Fujii H
  • Journal Title: Proceedings of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Volume: Vol. 18 Pages: 2690-2690
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] In vivo Prediction of Spermatogenesis in Seminiferous Tubules using High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Machine-Learning Techniques in Combination (2010)
  • Author(s): Yamaguchi M, et al
  • Journal Title: Proceedings of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Volume: 18 Pages: 2690-2690
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] In vivo prediction of spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and machine-learning techniques in combination. (2010)
  • Author(s): Yamaguchi M, Kutsuna N, Nakagami R, Nabetani A, Nozaki A, Niitsu M, Hasezawa S, Fujii H
  • Organizer: International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 18th Annual Meeting & Exhibition
  • Place of Presentation: Stockholm, Sweden
  • Year and Date: 2010-05-06
• [Presentation] In vivo Prediction of Spermatogenesis in Seminiferous Tubules using High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Machine-Learning Techniques in Combination (2010)
  • Author(s): Yamaguchi M, et al
  • Organizer: ISMRM 18th Annual Meeting & Exhibition
  • Place of Presentation: Stockholmmassen AB (Stockholm), Sweden
  • Year and Date: 2010-05-06
• [Remarks]
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